Adoption & Foster Care - PowerPoint Presentation

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Adoption & Foster Care

Seminar .

Sponsored by Baylor University, Human Resources

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Baylor University

Adoption Assistance ProgramWhat does it offer?Up to $10,000 (previously $6,000) in reimbursement of Qualified Adoption Expenses that are paid or incurred in connection with the final adoption of an Eligible Child and while an Eligible Employee under the Program.Who is eligible?Once 12 continuous months of full-time employment with Baylor has been completed, any Full-time faculty members and post-doctoral fellows who have been appointed at .75 full-time equivalency or more per semester; and full-time regular staff members who are scheduled to work 30 or more hours per week are eligible. How do I find out more about this program?Please visit www.baylor.edu/hr/benefits or contact us at 254-710-2000 or askHR@baylor.edu

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Baylor University

Paid Parental LeaveWhat does it offer?Effective January 1, 2020 – Paid Parental Leave increased to up to 6 weeks (240 hours) of paid leave for birth, adoption and foster care!Who is eligible?All full time employees who are in a benefits-eligible staff position. Eligibility is immediate upon employment with Baylor University. How do I find out more about this program?Please visit www.baylor.edu/hr/benefits or contact us at 254-710-2000 or askHR@baylor.edu

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Nightlight Christian Adoptions

Domestic, International, Embryo Adoptionswww.nightlight.org(254) 741-1633Lindsay Belus, LMSWlindsay.belus@nightlight.org

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Overview

Established in 1959; Now operating licensed offices in 10 states.

Placed over

4,000 children into loving families in the past 20 years.

Domestic Infant AdoptionInternational Adoption

Snowflakes® Embryo AdoptionWhat type of adoption is right for you?

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We have children waiting…

Visit today:AdoptionBridge.org

A child on Adoption Bridge is waiting for their forever family.

100s of child profiles demonstrate the need for adopting families like yours.

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Funding your adoption is very possible.

Don’t let money be your obstacle!

AdoptionBridge.org

Crowdfunding

Adoption Loans: Abba Fund/ACCU

Adoption Grants: Show Hope

IRS $13,100 Tax Credit

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More Than an Adventure, A Lifelong Journey

International Adoption

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Why do people 

adopt internationally? 

Children of Many Ethnicities

Children of Various Ages

Sibling Groups of Children

Heart of Compassion 

Waiting Children

Shorter wait time for referrals

Certainty of Custody

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Considering a Country

Your specific interest

Age of children desiredRestrictions on adopting parents (age, marital status)

Overall cost of country programTime to receive a referral

Travel (How often? How long?)

Other: country specific restrictions (e.g., current children in home, health of family members)

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Special Option: Hosting a Child

Hosting programs are scheduled each year with children from various nations.

Often available in summer or Christmas vacation time frames.Enjoy 2-3 weeks with a child, in your home, loving them and demonstrating ‘family life’.

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Nightlight Offers Many Programs

Visit www.Nightlight.org for our International Program Overview Tool

Hong Kong

Special Needs

Bulgaria

China

Special Needs

Haiti

Kyrgyzstan

Latvia

Nicaragua

Panama

Romania

Taiwan

Uganda

Ukraine

United

Kingdom

Columbia

Albania

Ghana

India

Nigeria

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Process Overview

Select Country

Complete Required DocumentationCountry Referral of Child

Travel Schedule Determined

Finalization- Immigration- Guardianship- Re-adopt

Post Adoption Reports

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Already in Your Heart

Domestic Adoption

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What is Domestic Adoption?

An adoption plan for birth parents faced with an unplanned pregnancy.It is a choice made by the birth parents – most often the birth mother.It is irrevocable once an adoption is finalized.  

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Deciding if You Are Right for Domestic Adoption

Are you open to a relationship with the birth parents?Do you desire to adopt a newborn infant?Do you understand that birth parents can change his/her mind(s)?  

Do you understand that there are potential legal risks?

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Understanding the Process

Available Children: The birth mother chooses the adoptive family.

Understanding the Cost: Financial assistance may be available including the IRS Adoption tax credit.Understanding the Risks: The birth parents may have been abusing substances. They can change their mind.

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Time for a Baby!

Nightlight contacts adopting families when their birth mom goes into labor.The birth mother may request the adopting parents be at the hospital or even in the delivery room. 

The birth mother may or may not wish to interact with the baby.

The adoptive family usually holds and feeds the baby.Relinquishment documents are signed (most states)

The timing and way in which relinquishments take place depends on state law.

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Home-going and Finalization

If the adoptive family resides in a different state than the baby's state of birth, they may have to remain in the state of birth for 7 or more days waiting for approval from state Social Services in each of the two states.

The adoption is finalized either in the adoptive family’s state or in the state where the baby was born.In some instances, an attorney goes with the family to the court hearing. 

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Embryo

Adoption Adoption - Just 9 Months Earlier Than “Normal”

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Did You Know…

n

You can give birth to your adopted child?

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Embryos remain from couples who used in vitro fertilization who have completed their family. The Snowflakes® program has embryos available now.

Embryo adoption has been successful for many families who did not have success using IVF, or were diagnosed with infertility.

Embryo adoption provides fast-track for infant adoption.

Over 1,000,000 Embryos in Storage

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Advantages

Control Of Pre-Natal EnvironmentPre-Natal BondingAbility To Nurse The ChildSecurity of Placement Affordable

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The Snowflakes Process

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Multiple full-genetic siblings are possible

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So which adoption process

.

is right for your family?

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Do you desire less risk in the adoption process, and want more certainty about the outcome?

Is your heart pulled toward helping give an orphan a home?Are you willing to consider a waiting child or a child with a medical need?

International Adoption

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Are you not able or have no desire to be pregnant?

Are you tired of infertility treatments?Are you hoping to adopt a newborn?Is your heart pulled toward helping a woman in a crisis situation?

Domestic Adoption

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Are you unable to conceive but able to carry a child?

Are you just not able to give up on your hope to be pregnant?Is your heart pulled toward the idea of giving the chance of life to an embryo that is frozen?

Embryo Adoption

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Pete and Rachael – Embryo Adoption Story

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Presented by:

Emily Mosher, LCSW – Family Home DeveloperHope Middlebrook – Recruitment & Retention Coordinator

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Who is Arrow Child and Family Ministries?

Arrow was founded in 1992 by a former child in foster care who grew up in a loving, Christian foster home.

Mission: Helping Kids, Strengthening Families“Children are a gift of the Lord...like arrows

in the hand of a warrior.” Psalm 127:4

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Youth Currently in Foster Care

16,016

424,000

IN TEXAS

0-2

YRS

26.6%

3-5

YRS

17.6%

6-9 YRS

17.2%

10-13

YRS

17%

14-17 YRS

21.6%

Ages of

Youth in

Texas Foster

Care

Numbers from DFPS,

as of March 2021

https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/About_DFPS/Monthly_Data/default.asp

190 Children in CWOP

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Youth Currently Waiting for Adoption

6,806

IN TEXAS

0-2

YRS

14%

3-5

YRS

13%

6-9 YRS

19%

10-13

YRS

25%

14-17 YRS

28%

Ages of Youth

in Texas Waiting

for Adoption

Numbers from DFPS,

as of August 2020

https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/About_DFPS/Data_Book/Child_Protective_Services/Adoption/Children_Waiting_Adoption.asp

A Youth Waiting for Adoption

May

Have these Characteristics:

Over the age of 6 years

Be a part of a sibling group

Have a medical condition(s)

Have physical, mental, or emotional disabilities

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A Child's Journey Through CPS

A Child in Foster Care’s Journey

The Bio Family’s Opportunity

Youth Maltreatment

Is

Reported

Child Protective

Services (CPS)

Investigates

Judge Decides If

Youth Should Be

Removed

Youth Placed with

Kinship or

Foster Family

Case Plan Developed

To Reunify The Family

Judge Periodically

Reviews Parental Progress

If Judge Decides NOT to

Reunify Family, Parental

Rights are Terminated

Youth Remains in

Foster Care, but is

Available for Adoption

If Not Adopted,

the Youth will be

Emancipated at 18

with No Support

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Arrow Programs

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State Adoption Subsidy

If the child or children meet one of the following criteria by the time of adoption:

Is 6 years of age or older

Belongs to a sibling group

Is 2 years of age or older and belongs to a minority group

Has been diagnosed by a professional with a "lifelong handicapping condition"they receive:

MedicaidA monthly stipendA one-time coverage of adoption-related expenses (including attorney fees)

College tuition to a state college, vocational, or technical school in Texas

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Treatment Foster Care Program

Population

Youth 3

-17

years old at risk of being placed in an institutional setting (RTC or psychiatric hospital), who experience emotional, behavioral, and/or mental health difficulties.

Clinical Intervention

Youth receives frequent support by a therapist and a behavioral support specialist.

Time Limited

Youth would be in your home for 6 months with a potential

6-month

extension. Not intended for permanency.

Location

All locations!

What is Treatment Foster Care?

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Becoming a Foster Parent

An inspection of your home and an interview of everyone living in the household.

This will be completed last.

Home Study

Pre-Service #1-7

BCMT I & II

CPR/First Aid

Meds Class

Adoption Training

Additional online courses

Training

Complete an application and all additional paperwork

Application

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What is My Next Step?

Attend Pre-Service #1!

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The Price Family – David, Nicci, Logan, & Ben

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The Todd Family – James, Danielle, Madeline, & Lilly

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Circles of Care Informational Presentation

2022Jessica Wheeler-Macias: Case Manager

Our Mission

is to enhance children, youth, and families’ ability for effective living and growth through comprehensive social and mental health services.

Circles of Care (COC) is a private agency dedicated to helping children, youth and families in need of social and mental health services.   Circles of Care’s child placement program works with children taken into State custody due to abuse and neglect or other circumstances in which the children have been removed or lost their biological family.  Circles of Care is not a State agency or a branch of the State, although we do receive most of our referrals from State departments, when they have the need for a home for a child/youth.

Website: https://www.circlesofcareinc.org/

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In 2000 Mrs. Edwards secured a contract with The Department of Family and Protective Services to provide services to children in conservatorship through a residential contract. Circles of Care began in Corpus Christi in Mrs. Edwards’ garage with only one other employee before moving to the location that it now calls its corporate headquarters.

In 2003, the decision was made to expand the agency and Mrs. Edwards turned her eye toward the other major cities in Texas. She wanted to share the success she experienced in Corpus Christi with children and families in other regions. The first satellite office was opened on November 1, 2003 in Salado, Texas, just north of Austin followed by a second in Houston less than a year later. Still expanding in Region 11, an office in McAllen, Texas was opened just two months after reaching Houston. In 2006 was also the year that Circles of Care acquired its adoption contract and was able to not only help children access comprehensive mental and social health services in a home environment, but also to help complete families.In 2011, Mrs. Edwards began writing for the STAR contract to offer crisis intervention and counseling services to families in need. The agency was awarded the contract in 2012 and began offering comprehensive mental health services in Nueces, Kleberg, and Jim Wells County, free of charge, to the community with the goal of maintaining the continuity of families and averting and handling the crises that these families were experiencing.

In 2012 two more satellite offices for the Circles of Care residential childcare program were launched in Dallas, Texas and in Laredo, Texas.

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Minimum Qualifications for Foster/Adoptive Parents

Age:

All caregivers must be at least 21 if married or 25 if single

Background Check: All caregivers as well as household members 14 years and older are required to complete a background check that consists of:

Texas Criminal History checkNational Criminal History check (FBI)

Central Registry check (Abuse and Neglect)Out-of-State Abuse/Neglect History check (if resided out of the state of Texas in the last 5 years)

Out-of-State Criminal History check (if resided out of the state of Texas in the last 5 years)

Citizenship: All caregivers must be a United State Citizen or Permanent ResidentEducation:

All caregivers must have at minimum a GED or be able to pass an educational screening tool.

Transportation:

Caregivers must have dependable transportation and the ability to transport children to all appointments and visitations.

Household Space:

Caregivers can own or rent their home; however, must have adequate space for each child.

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Misconceptions:

Fostering is a financial strain:

Fostering a child is not a greater financial burden on a foster parent/family than caring for any other child in a family. In fact, foster parents receive monthly stipends to help cover costs of essential needs.

I have no experience, so I shouldn’t be a foster parent:

Foster children need responsible, loving, trustworthy parents who are willing and able to pour love and care into them.

Foster parents can only be married couples:

Circles of Care does not discriminate and provides opportunities to recruit foster parents who are single dads and mothers, as well as older couples/empty nesters. Outside of age requirements, background checks, and other assessments to ensure you have the space and resources to take care of a child, all perspective foster parents are considered and welcomed to apply.

Foster parents are stay-at home parents:

The median age of foster youth is 7.8 years old, or school aged. Children spend much of their day at school and work well for families with working parents.

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Expectations and Duties

Basic Care:

Caregivers are required to provide at minimum the same care that one would for their own biological child to include:

Shelter

FoodClothingDiapers

School suppliesRecreation (sports, extra-curricular activities, etc.)

Supervision: Supervision is dependent on the child’s service level as well as the behaviors they may be exhibiting in the home. Caregivers are responsible for the well being of the children in the home and are expected to supervise any child accordingly.

Support:

As a caregiver to a child in care, it is expected that encouragement, guidance, and assistance will be provided for each child.

Discipline:

Per the state Minimum Standards and Circles of Care policy no child can be physically discipline nor can they be subjected to psychological punishment (i.e. threatening of current placement)

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Transportation:

Caregivers are responsible for any appointment under 60 miles, after 60 miles round trip Circles of Care will reimburse depending on cause. (examples: Court appointment, family/sibling visits, etc.) Medicaid Transportation reimburses for all medical appointments if they are contacted prior to the appointment. Therapeutic Intervention: Caregivers are expected to participate in the child’s appointments and work with ALL the professionals assigned to each child. Caregivers are to follow the recommendations of ALL professionals.Individual Therapy, Sibling Therapy, Family Therapy, Play Therapy, Etc.Psychological Evaluations

CANS AssessmentsPsychiatric Evaluation (Medication Management)

Paperwork: Caregivers are responsible for ensuring that the child’s legal team is aware of the day in and day out on-goings of the child in the home. Some of the main documentation that is required include:

FORM 2403- Medical/Dental/Vision/Hearing Examination Form

Medication LogsChild Weekly Progress Notes (As needed)Incident Reports

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BASIC VS. THERAPEUTIC CARE

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Determining Service Levels

Youth for Tomorrow Foundation (YFT) is a not-for-profit behavioral health care company in Texas providing quality assurance and utilization review management.

Youth For Tomorrow (YFT) determines service levels for children requiring more than basic services such as Moderate or Specialized.

If it is determined that a child requires more than basic services, specific documentation must be submitted to Youth For Tomorrow (YFT), for an assessment of the child’s service level needs. YFT is required to review the records of children who require more than basic services and determine whether the child requires a higher service level.

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Examples of Behaviors Children

Might DisplayPhysically AggressiveVerbally aggressiveOppositional Defiant BehaviorHoarding FoodWithdrawnTemper TantrumsBed Wetting

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It’s incredible what a structured environment and support system can do for a child. Foster Parents have the ability to positively impact a child who has experienced trauma, teach them healthy coping skills, and help them grow into a thriving individual.

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Carolyn Hughes

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AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY

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The time a child is in your home can vary for many reasons:

It is dependent on if the child's parental rights have been terminated or if the parents are working their required services.If the parental rights are terminated, then the child is placed in the adoption unit. Relatives of the child are always contacted first and if they do not want to take on the responsibility then the foster parents are given the option of adopting.Once the child is placed in the adoption unit, they can stay in foster care until they are adopted, or they turn 18 and emancipate from foster care.

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REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE

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First Set of Paperwork

Individual Applications These can be completed online at the Circles of Care website, or a paper copy can be turned in. ReferencesEach caregiver must supply four references on the application.All biological children over the age of 12 that do not reside in the home must also complete a reference. Background Check Consent Form

Each caregiver and any household member over the age of 14 will need to complete a consent form either online at the Circles of Care website or turn in a paper copy.

A copy of the Social Security Card and Drivers License/State ID will need to be turned in with the consent.

Second Set of Paperwork

Personal/Home DocumentationProof of Education

Birth CertificatesMarriage License/Divorce Decree

Rabies Vaccinations for all petsHome/Renters Insurance

Vehicle Insurance/Registration

Circles of Care Forms

Disaster and Emergency Form

Parenting Scale to be individually completed

Budget Form

General House Rules

Family Violence Acknowledgement

Weapons Inventory

Doctor/Dentist/Hospital Form

Right of Refusal Acknowledgement

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Home studies provide DFPS and the courts with the necessary comprehensive information for determining the most appropriate home  for a child.

A home study is conducted after you have completed your training classes and application to adopt or foster.Home study interviews can range from 3-6 hours and can be broken into various appointments.

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RESOURCES AND SERVICES TO FOSTER PARENTS

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Case Management Support

Case Managers are on call 24/7. They can be reached via cell phone during office hours and for after hour emergencies.

Circles of Care has a live web chat that is manned during business hours.

Reimbursement Rates

These are based on the needs of each child. The greater the level of a child, the higher the needs are to be met.Level Basic - $27.07/day

Level Moderate - $47.37/dayLevel Specialized - $58.00/day

Respite Reimbursement

This is an incentive Circles of Care offers for families to take a break from the children. At times it is difficult to find respite providers so we encourage you to find a friend that might want to be licensed as a respite provider.

Annual Training Fund

Circles of Care offers each caregiver $250.00 each year to obtain the required annual training hours. This is a reimbursement.

Inspection Reimbursement

Fire Inspections (maximum $75.00)

Health Inspections (maximum $50.00)

Gas Inspections (maximum $100.00)

Initial Clothing Allowance

Circles of Care offers reimbursement of up to $150.00 to assist in purchasing clothing for a child coming into care. This is given only if the child is in immediate need and it is only allowed for first time children in Circles of Care.

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Adoption & Foster Care

Seminar .

Sponsored by Baylor University, Human Resources

Questions?

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Adoption & Foster Care

Seminar .

Sponsored by Baylor University, Human Resources

THANK YOU!